Introduction

Perched atop Lookout Mountain lies the secret Bed & Breakfast Lodge - the best kept (secret) in the south! Spectacular view by day! Enchanting view by night! Spectacular and breathtaking only begin to describe the more than 180 degree panoramic view of the foothills, valleys, and beautiful Weiss Lake below.

From Gothic rock formations one can see Rome, Georgia to the east and Weisner Mountain in Piedmont, Alabama to the south. Spreading majestically behind Weisner Mountain, lies the Cheaha Mountain range. Mount Cheaha, the highest point in Alabama, looks like a silver-wrapped candy kiss atop the mountain range. To the west the town of Gadsden, Alabama sparkles brilliantly when darkness falls.

The view is as spectacular by day as it is enchanting at night. The secret is the perfect setting for making dreams come true or celebrating special moments or anniversaries.

Insider's Info

Travelers are always looking for memorable and relaxing experiences. Let’s discover more through the words of our innkeepers. Many thanks to Charlie and Kris for sharing their own secrets with BBOnline.com!

Why do most travelers stay at your inn?

Most travelers come to The Secret B & B for a cozy, peaceful, and/or romantic getaway. Our remote location on top of Lookout Mountain offers a great place to "hide" from the world for a day or two.

What are you best known for? What makes your inn unique? What do you love most about your inn?

I think people who have stayed here would say that we are best known for our incredible 180 degree panoramic view of Weiss Lake and the surrounding mountains and valleys. The view is spectacular in every season. The Secret B & B has many unique characteristics. The design of the main lodge is very Frank Lloyd Wrightish, and has a pool on the roof, a giant custom-built lazy-susan on the breakfast table (that seats 14 comfortably), and a wet bar that can be hidden from view (very important considering the county was dry until just recently!). My favorite thing about the Secret is the peaceful serenity that seems to envelop the property. We like to say that once you come through our brick entrance, all of your cares melt away, and time seems to just stand still.

If someone has never been to your city, what is the #1 reason to come visit?

The number one reason to visit our area is the Little River Canyon, and all of the natural beauty that abounds in and around the canyon. We like to consider ourselves as being at the gateway to the Smokey Mountains, however, most people end up realizing that they can travel further into the mountains and never find the breathtaking scenery that surrounds us.

What’s the best compliment you have ever received about the inn?

The best compliments we receive from our guests are the heartfelt comments that praise us as innkeepers. The biggest reason for this praise seems to be the way we interact with our guests...which to us simply means treating everyone like family.

What’s the best kept secret about the area?

There are several great places to see and things to do in our area that we tell our guests about, but if I had to choose one I would say Cherokee Rock Village. CRV is a rock climbing Mecca for those in the sport, but it is also a very beautiful place for non-climbers as well. It boasts many large rock formations that are easily climbed by all skill levels, trails for walking and biking, awesome views, and it is a great place to camp. Cherokee Rock Village is also only a short ten minute drive from our Inn.

If a traveler is staying at your inn for 4 nights, what should he/she do in the area?

Day 1: Trip through Little River Canyon for the beauty, then to Desoto State Park for some trail hiking, finally on to the little town of Mentone with its many local artisans and craftsmen. Dinner at the Wildflower Cafe.

Day 2: Shopping, shopping, shopping...there are hundreds of antique stores within 45 minutes of our inn, and yard sales are a way of life in Northeast Alabama. OR If shopping isn't your cup of tea then try True Adventure Sports. They are an outfitter that will take you (or teach you) rock climbing, repelling, caving, zip lining, kayaking, or anything else outdoors that you can think of.

Day 3: Morning hike at Cherokee Rock Village, then a trip to Orbix Hot Glass to see our local glassblowers in action (they have been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show!!). Lunch at The Mountain Parkway Grill (fantastic southern cooking, and less than a mile from our B & B. Spend the afternoon in the pool (summer) or Jacuzzi (winter) then maybe head into "the big city" of Gadsden a short 25 minute drive for a nice romantic supper at The Courtyard Cafe.

Day 4: If you've done everything listed the first three days, you are now ready for a quiet day at the Inn. Snuggle in the hammock, stroll the ridge line, visit Jose the miniature donkey and Max, Toby, Pinot, and Merlot the friendly goats, go for a swim or just relax in the sun, curl up with a good book, or best of all...just do nothing. And at the end of the day, join your innkeepers for our daily glass of wine and social time, where we get to learn all about our guests as they learn about us .

Is there anything within walking distance of your inn?

One of the best features of our inn is the fact that we are isolated from the hustle and bustle of daily life. We have great places to walk, where beauty and wildlife abound, but to get back into civilization you'll need to use the car.

What is your favorite restaurant/food in the area?

There are many great places to eat in our area, but the two best are The Mountain Parkway Grill which is located less than a mile from the inn and Tony's Steak Barn which specializes in STEAK of course, and it is delicious. Tony's is about 10 minutes away.

Roof-top Pool

Meet Your Innkeepers Charlie and Kris Thomas

There are new "keepers of the Inn"!! On June 27th Charlie and Kris Thomas took over as Innkeepers of The Secret Bed and Breakfast. In June of 2010, Kris shut down her mortgage business in which she had been part owner for 10 years.

The following February, Charlie was laid off from his job of 22 years as a Golf Pro. With few options in their fields, they decided it was time for a radical change in their lives. A few years back, after staying at a Bed and Breakfast in north Georgia, they had discussed owning one when they retired. Little did they know that retirement would come at the age of 47.

It is said that when God closes a door he opens a window. In this case, he opened the window and basically pushed! After looking at several Bed and Breakfasts in the southeast they had almost given up.

The places were either too small to profit, did not have enough land to grow, had owner's quarters that would not accommodate ants, or were located so close to a railroad that the house shook three times a night! Then came The Secret! Upon stepping out of the car, walking into the massive lodge, then seeing the most amazing view, God said "It is done"!

The chill bumps are still coming each time Kris shares their story and both she and Charlie look forward to sharing their little piece of heaven with many future guests! So come on up to the mountain and feel the peace and tranquility that everyone deserves at least every once in a while

The Kissing Tree and the BIG Chair!

"The Kissing Tree & The Big Chair"

Don't forget your camera! Especially if it's a birthday or an anniversary!

We know we should not favor any particular guests, but we do. These two gracious Southern ladies (pictured above left) graced our mountain last fall. Mrs. Marion Rollins (left) and her life-long friend, Mrs. Robbie Sessions from Enterprise, Alabama have been friends since the age of three. They still cherish a picture of Ms. Robbie at age 3 standing beside a stroller the day Ms. Marion was born. This November each of these girls will celebrate birthdays--Ms. Marion will be 94 and Ms. Robbie will be 97. As these two enchanting ladies were having their pictures made I commented to Ms. Robbie that I would like for her to visit us on her 100th birthday and have her picture made in the BIG chair again. She remarked, with a twinkle in her eye, "Oh, that's a great idea. I always like to have something to look forward to!" Our mountain seemed to lose some stardust when they left.

Golfers may enjoy a day at either Silver Lakes Golf Course, a part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail (1-800-949-4444) which is approximately 45 minutes away. Twin Bridges Golf Course is also an excellent choice and only twenty five minutes away (in Gadsden) www.twinbridgesgolf.com (256-549-4866). Stonebridge Golf Course (1-800-336-5046) in Rome Georgia is also available and less than an hour away. The Cherokee County Country Club golf course is located within a 10 minute drive. The Huntsville Space and Rocket Center is also located within 1 1/2 hours of the secret.

The secret is located near the Lookout Mountain Parkway and just 9 miles Interstate 59. It is 80 miles northeast of Birmingham, Alabama, 70 miles southwest of Chattanooga, Tennessee and 90 miles west of Atlanta, Georgia. For this reason, the secret is an excellent pivotal point from which one can discover some of the best secrets in the south.

About Our Accommodations

The secret features four guest rooms which are located on the 2nd floor above the Main Lodge. Two rooms are located on the view side (Tranquility and Serenity) and two rooms are located on the wooded side (Remembrance and Enchantment). Each of these rooms may be entered from the main upstairs hallway which also leads to the unique roof top pool and suspended deck. The patio and balcony area offer one of the most impressive views in the south!

All rooms and cottages have balconies and private baths. Direct TV is available in all rooms/cottages except Remembrance. DVD and VCR's are available in all rooms/cottages. Guests may select from over 400 courtesy movies for their watching pleasure or bring their own DVD's or videos. A hearty breakfast is served daily at 9:00 a.m.

Looking for something more private? Discover four of the most unique cottages in the state of Alabama. These cottages offer the best of both worlds - a bed and breakfast experience with the ultimate privacy. Enjoy the main lodge area which features two TVs, a large fireplace and a spectacular view from windows towering three stories in height. Then, you may return to your hide-a-way to enjoy your personal view of the surroundings.

The ceiling in the main gathering room at the lodge is over 2 stories tall. In the morning guests may enjoy a full country breakfast or pancakes around a 10' revolving dining table. In this charmingly secluded and privately owned location guests discover "the secret". No one leaves the same as he came. It is truly the secret awaiting your discovery.

Inn Accolades & Special Appearances

Movie Appearances

Large rock outcroppings abound on the property and in nearby areas. Cherokee Rock Village is about 7 miles from the secret. It was one of the sites selected for filming the 2006 movie, Failure to Launch, starring Matthew McConaughey & Sarah Jessica Parker. Visitors discover rock formations over 100 feet high that form unusual observation decks. Rock climbers from surrounding states may always be found scaling the rocks. This area is located on an old pioneer road and Indian trail that is today called the Lookout Mountain Trail. This trail is known to have existed during the Civil War.

The secret has been featured in the The Atlanta Journal & Constitution and on the front page of the Birmingham New Travel Section. The secret has also been featured in The Country Register, The Lookout Mountain Discoverer, the Times Daily, Alabama Magazine, Prime Times Magazine, the North Alabama Traveler, AAA's Travel Magazine, Going Places, Southern Lady Magazine and Southern Living Magazine. Also, we are honored to have been selected as one of twelve bed and breakfasts in Alabama to be featured on the Alabama Public Television Network.